"Kool-Aid McKinstry is gonna be the next great": CFB analyst makes bold prediciton about former Alabama CB's NFL career out of Nick Saban's camp
Kool-Aid McKinstry is preparing for the upcoming NFL draft, and the former Alabama Crimson Tide cornerback has been predicted to be a first-round pick.
McKinstry had a successful college career, being named All-American for the cornerback position before the 2024 draft, and was a consistent presence on retired coach Nick Saban's team.
CBS Sports' college football analyst Aaron Taylor spoke about McKinstry on Thursday.
"You look at the defensive ends and the cornerbacks Nick Saban's turned out year after year after year," Taylor said. "And Kool-Aid McKinstry's gonna be the next great one."
Under Nick Saban, Alabama has had a history of producing many strong players on the defensive side of the ball. Dalvin Tomlinson, Will Anderson and Marlon Humphrey are just three examples of former Crimson Tide players who are now at the top of their game in the NFL.
Taylor believes that McKinstry could join him, and he has good reason to believe this.
McKinstry has been a consistently strong player during his three years with the Crimson Tide, in which he became a key part of a defense that was led by safety Caleb Downs, who has now taken his skills to the Ohio State Buckeyes.
McKinstry is a quick defender who can keep up with many fast wide receivers and block passes if need be. However, it has been noted that McKinstry struggles with long pass attempts, preferring short runs to full-field chases, and may sometimes not do much on a play if he believes he is not directly involved.
All things being weighed up, McKinstry has the talent to become a strong asset for an NFL team. In a league that is becoming increasingly offense-dominated, getting a reliable defender like Kool-Aid McKinstry to work in the secondary may help to provide an extra level of security to stop powerful offenses.
Which teams could draft Kool-Aid McKinstry?
Kool-Aid McKinstry is anticipated to go in the middle of the first round, according to NFL Draft Buzz. Pro Football Focus expects him to be a top-25 pick. Previous predictions put McKinstry near the top 10, but a Jones fracture found in his right foot that was discovered during the NFL scouting combine has caused his stock to fall slightly. However, he will be fully recovered for NFL training camp.
But which teams are in contention to draft McKinstry?
One organization that has been projected to sign McKinstry is the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have a strong offense led by quarterback Lamar Jackson and made it to the AFC championship game last season. However, their defense needs to improve, especially at the cornerback position, after Marlon Humphrey did not have the greatest of seasons.
The addition of McKinstry will provide not only new blood for the defense but also a strong initial backup for Humphrey, who can easily slot into the lineup and make a difference.
Another team that could make the move for McKinstry is the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles' defense, especially their secondary, struggled during the second half of the season, leading to the Eagles struggling to win games. Improving these positions will be a priority for Philadelphia, and if McKinstry is still available when the Eagles pick at 22, they may not be able to pass on the opportunity to take him.
Which team do you think Kool-Aid McKinstry will be drafted by?